The

Authorized

Rege Cordic,

Cordic & Co.

and Olde Frothingslosh
web site

   

We'll see you later, Rags

A  tribute by Marilyn Eastman

    I remember waking up my first morning in Pittsburgh at the Sherwyn Hotel, spring of 1963. I turned on the radio and heard a marvelous profundo voice bantering with the muffled voice of an anonymous complainer, who was living in the walls of the studio and who didn't like the music played so loud. I loved it. My admiration for Regis J. Cordic began with an explosion and never burned down.

 

    Over the years, I worked with 'Rags' (my nickname for him) many times and never have I met the likes of his timing, his delivery, his perfectly-controlled, fake pomposity. His persona was bigger than life, yet you would never meet a man more private. Also, Rege was a gentleman and a good listener. (Rare in Show Biz).

   

    In more recent years, Rege, Cathy, Karl Hardman and myself, shared some of the funniest meals ever served in any Pittsburgh dining room. In retrospect, it seems even the food was funny. Rege loved the very idea of Cathy. (We called her Cathy O'Cordic.) She was all women to him. He bloomed with their relationship and he became more expressive and responsive in her presence.

   

    One other thing. Back in 1963, I remember witnessing the most infallible measure of Cordic's popularity. It happened many mornings on the Parkway, just before you hit the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, going 'dahn-tahn'....(that's Pittsburghese for down-town.) Long lines of cars could be seen pulling off the road, creating all kinds of traffic predicaments. And while car motors idled, Cordic fans (behind the wheel) would listen to the end of a routine BEFORE entering the tunnel and losing radio transmission.

   

Regis made a difference to all of us. We'll see you later, Rags.